learn more about one of the uk's most successful entrepreneurs
Biography
About Phil Cleary
Phil Cleary, a native of Merseyside, initially pursued a career as a computer engineer following completion of his A-levels. Transitioning to law enforcement, Phil specialised in undercover work until a car accident forced his early retirement on medical grounds. The former detective, together with his brother Mike, co-invented SmartWater, a forensic technology that won the Prince of Wales Award for Innovation in 1996. Overseeing the growth of The SmartWater Group, Phil transformed it from a two-person operation into an international company with nearly 200 employees. Recently retired, Phil is currently pursuing a Master’s in History at Birmingham University and is readying Helios Radar for market.
He lives in Hampshire with his wife, Melanie.
1993
Co-founded SmartWater with brother, Michael Cleary, a Chartered Chemist and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
1996
SmartWater wins Prince of Wales Award for Innovation and features on BBC's Tomorrow's World programme.
2006
Launches 'The SmartWater Strategy' with the Metropolitan Police, leading to an 85% reduction in household burglaries in the London borough of Brent.
2008
Phil and Michael establish not-for-profit organisation The SmartWater Foundation to support initiatives helping struggling communities.
2009
Phil is awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts in recognition of his entrepreneurial achievements.
2013
Publication of Elixir. Phil's debut novel wins critical acclaim. Revised and republished in 2023.
2017
SmartWater gains accreditation with the UK Government's Forensic Science Regulator's Codes of Practice.
2017
The SmartWater Foundation helps archaeologists and the US State Department protect priceless artefacts in Syria.
2016-2019
Formation of The SmartWater Group, and the Centre for Infrastructure and Asset Protection, an intelligence arm which provides crime pattern analysis for the UK police service.
2021
The SmartWater Foundation helps scientists at the National Institute of Health (NIH) on a new initiative to combat the spread of malaria in Africa.
2021
Phil retires as CEO of SmartWater after private equity house Freshstream buys a majority stake with a nine-figure valuation.
2023
Launches Helios Radar with products scheduled for market readiness in early 2024.
